Home Help: Tackle storm-related roof damage

Monday

Oct 17, 2016 at 1:01 AM

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TIP OF THE WEEKHaving your home severely damaged by a storm can turn your world upside down. The damage could simply be cosmetic, or so extensive as to render your home uninhabitable. In either case, you need to act fast, but smart, to ensure that your home will be properly repaired.

Keep safety first. Leave emergency repairs to the professionals. A crisis that affects your home is an emotional event, but your safety is paramount. Do not attempt any emergency repairs unless you are qualified to do so.

Prepare for your insurance adjuster. Take time to do your own documentation. Take plenty of photos and notes on the damage to your home. This information will become a helpful checklist to compare against the insurance company’s findings. When it comes to the roof, check outside for things such as blown off shingles, damaged gutters and large branches that may have fallen onto your home. Also, if you can safely access your attic, examine the underside of your roof for damage or leaks.

Find the right contractor. Try to interview at least three contractors for your roof repair. This allows you to compare prices, work styles and other factors before making your selection.

Check for special repair designations required by your insurance. In some instances, insurance companies require that certain materials be used in the repair of your home. In areas prone to hail storms, for example, you may be required to install shingles that are classified as impact resistant, which stand up better to hailstorms.— Family Features/Certain Teed

HOME-SELLING TIPDetach yourself from your homeIf you’ve been in your home for many years or even just a few, you’ve most likely built and attachment to your home and made many memories along the way, which is why it can’t be hard to say goodbye once you’ve decided to sell. Letting your emotional attachment get in the way of making decisions can affect how much and when your home ultimately sells. One of the easiest ways to detach yourself from your emotions about the home is to pretend you’re a potential buyer that is walking through your home. As you walk the home, make a list of what advantages each room has and the things you would like to change. Taking a step back will help you price your home more accurately you’ll be able to stage your home more easily.— More Content Now

DECORATING TIPUpdate your closetsAdd built-in shelving or simply streamline clothes hangers for an organizational boost you’ll thank yourself for every day. Or you can tackle a popular closet upgrade: lining a traditional closet with cedar. Natural cedar gives your closet a classic look, a pleasant aroma and keeps moths and mildew away. Use tongue-and-groove cedar to line some or all of an existing closet. You can leave baseboards in place if they’re thicker than the cedar. If not, remove them with a pry bar before the cedar installation. Use nails to attach the cedar to the wall studs, or adhere them with a construction adhesive.— Brandpoint

GARDEN GUIDETest your soilIf you have already put your garden to bed for the upcoming winter, now is a good time to test your garden soil for deficiencies. Plant growth and vigor are often dependent on how acidic or alkaline the soil is, also known as the soil’s pH level. A soil test will also let you know which elements are missing from your soil and how much to add. If you use a home soil test, which can be found at home improvement and gardening retailers, dig five holes 6-8 inches deep and then take a 1/2-inch slice along the side of the hole and place it in a bucket. Repeat the process for all the holes and also be sure to collect samples from any areas that will be growing similar plants. Mix the soil in the buck and then spread the soil on a newspaper to dry out. Once dried, collect a pint of soil to run your soil test. If you don’t have time to do your own test, many local cooperative extension offices can test your soil sample as well, but could take a few weeks to process the results.— More Content Now